Former stars put on show for cup fans

SOUTH Yorkshire rugby stars of yesteryear showed that they have not lost their touch even if some of them are a yard or so slower and a few pounds heavier than they were in their playing days.

Former Dons and Sheffield Eagles’ players took part in a touch & pass match in a curtain-raiser to Sunday’s Northern Rail Cup Pool B game between the two clubs at the Keepmoat Stadium.

The Eagles

As was the case in the main game, where Eagles soared to a 56-12 victory, the Don Valley Stadium side took the honours 12-8.

The Dons twice hit back with tries by Scott Jones, their youngest player, after Eagles had gone ahead, but the visitors had the last word when scoring a late try.

Among the former Dons’ favourites on view were brothers Kevin and Keith Jones, winger Neil Turner, who was sold to Hull FC for a then club-record £60,000 fee, Paul Beardmore, Fata Sini and Martin Rowland, currently a member of the club’s Community Development Programme.

Doncaster-based Ernie Lake, who played for both clubs, elected to play for Eagles.